AlUla Commissions Two LaserSETI Stations as First Asian Site in Global Observation Network
What happened
The Royal Commission for AlUla brought two LaserSETI optical monitoring stations into full operational status at AlUla Manara in partnership with the SETI Institute.
The Context
* First in Asia: The installation establishes AlUla as the fifth node in an international network monitoring transient optical sky phenomena, joining existing infrastructure in California, Hawai’i, Arizona, and Puerto Rico. * Capitalizing on dark skies: Located north of AlUla, the Manara facility leverages low light pollution to deliver continuous, real-time data directly into the global astronomical research pipeline. * Long-term strategic execution: The project operationalizes an August 2024 bilateral agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the SETI Institute, supporting research targets under Saudi Vision 2030.
The Number
AlUla is now the fifth operational LaserSETI observatory worldwide—and the first across Asia—giving the Middle East a permanent seat in global optical sky surveying.
Takeaway
Teams at AlUla Manara will now prioritize comparative data processing with international partners while scaling regional facilities to support specialized scientific tourism.
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
العلا أول موقع في آسيا ضمن شبكة «LaserSETI» العالمية لرصد السماء
The Royal Commission for AlUla Province announced the successful installation and operation of two stations of the global LaserSETI project at the AlUla Lighthouse in northern AlUla, making AlUla the first site in Asia and the fifth operational obser...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
العلا أول موقع في آسيا ضمن شبكة «LaserSETI» العالمية لرصد السماء
The Royal Commission for AlUla Province announced that two stations of the global LaserSETI project were installed and brought into operation at the AlUla Lighthouse (Manarat AlUla) in northern AlUla, making AlUla the first site in Asia and the fifth...
Arabic-language reporting focused on domestic developments in Saudi Arabia.
"Okaz is a mainstream Saudi newspaper that often reflects domestic priorities and official-facing coverage."
— A47 Editor
محطتان فلكيتان بالعلا لدعم الأبحاث والرصد العلمي
Okaz reported that two astronomical observation stations belonging to the global LaserSETI project have been successfully installed and brought into operation at the Al Ula Lighthouse site in Saudi Arabia. LaserSETI is a worldwide network that contin...
Arabic-language reporting focused on Saudi domestic affairs and current events.
"Al Watan is a mainstream Saudi newspaper with strong domestic coverage and a broad general-news profile."
— A47 Editor
الهيئة الملكية للعلا تعلن تشغيل محطتين للرصد الفلكي
The Royal Commission for AlUla Province has announced the successful installation and operation of two stations of the global LaserSETI project at the AlUla Lighthouse (Manarat AlUla) in northern AlUla. The stations are part of an international netwo...